Police wish pupils and teachers the best

The police emphasise that crime, violence and abuse affect all aspects of the community, and schools are not always free from fear, intimidation or victimisation. The Department of Basic Education in partnership with the police is committed to preventing, managing and responding to incidents of crime and violence in schools.

The police website posted safety tips for educators, a simple list of ways to help keep children safe at school:

• Enforce zero-tolerance policies toward the presence of weapons, alcohol, and drugs
• Establish policies that declare that anything that is illegal out of school is illegal in school
• Engage pupils in maintaining a good learning environment by establishing a representative council of learners
• Develop protocols between the police and the school about ways to share information about at-risk pupils
• Develop resource lists that provide referral services for pupils who are depressed or otherwise under stress

Details: www.saps.gov.za